On Saturday, September 15, 2018, millions of volunteers around the world joined together for International Coastal Cleanup Day, one of the largest annual ocean preservation and protection events on the planet! The event was spearheaded over 30 years ago by the Ocean Conservancy and has grown each year to now include over 100 countries, with millions of volunteers removing hundreds of millions of pounds of trash from beaches and waterways worldwide. The ocean’s health is vital to not only its inhabitants but to all those on land as well! Even if you are living far from the coast, your daily actions have an impact on the oceans and the oceans have an impact on you!

A few reasons to love and respect the ocean

1. A source of oxygen! Did you know that over 50% of the air you breathe comes from the ocean? We can thank phytoplankton for absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, just like trees!
2. Food, yum! The ocean provides the number one source of protein for over one billion people on our planet!
3. Healthy oceans mean healthy humans! Much of modern medicine finds its origins in our oceans. Not to mention our bodies are made up of water, the planet is two-thirds water and we cannot live without it!
4. Fun! What would the oceans be to us if we could not play in them? Recreation in our oceans is a huge part of many people’s lives and it creates jobs, from fishing to tourism!

With all of that being said, its time to get out there and make a difference in your community! If you are visiting Hawaii, take a moment and give back to these beautiful islands by finding a beach cleanup near you… or just grab a pair of gloves and do one on your own!

2018 Events on Maui

SOUTH SHORE

1. Join Hawaiian Paddle Sports and Hawaii Mermaid Adventures

• TIME: 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• LOCATION: Po’olenalena Beach Park, Kihei
• LUNCH: Free lunch will be provided to the first 50 volunteers courtesy of Pau Vodka!
• MORE INFO: Visit https://hawaiianpaddlesports.com/beach-cleanup/

2. Join Mālama Maui Nui with partners Maui Ocean Center, Maui Brewing Company, and Ma'alaea General Store

• TIME: 9am-12pm
• LOCATION: Sugar Beach, Kihei
• RSVP: http://malamamauinui.ivolunteer.com/iccgtd18or facebook.com/events/497488567377984/

WEST SIDE

1. Join Mālama Maui Nui with partners The Digital School Bus, and Maui Lifeguards

• TIME: 9am-12pm
• LOCATION: Olowalu Beach (mile marker 13.5)
• RSVP: http://malamamauinui.ivolunteer.com/iccgtd18 www.facebook.com/events/432671720559587/

2. Join Lahaina Town Action Committee with partners Down the Hatch, Cultivate, Mālama Maui Nui

• TIME: 8am-1pm
• LOCATION: Kamehameha Iki Park, 525 Front St
• RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/163091504345256/

3. Join Trilogy Excursions for a Blue ‘Aina Reef Cleanup

• TIME:  9am-1pm
• LOCATION: Lahaina Harbor
• BOOK: Call Trilogy Excursions at (808) 874 5649 for availability or visit their website at http://blog.sailtrilogy.com/blue-aina/

NORTH SHORE

1. Join Mālama Maui Nui with partners The Digital School Bus, Pacific Whale Foundation, Blue Zone Project, and Maui Lifeguards

• TIME: 9am-12pm
• LOCATION: Kahului Harbor
• RSVP: http://malamamauinui.ivolunteer.com/iccgtd18 or www.facebook.com/events/423985831439379/

2. Join Mālama Maui Nui with partners Paia Town Association, CMC, Surfrider Foundation, and Maui Lifegaurds

• TIME: 9am-12pm
• LOCATION: Baldwin Beach
• RSVP: http://malamamauinui.ivolunteer.com/iccgtd18or facebook.com/events/317324415673080/

At Skyline Hawaii we are dedicated to the preservation of Maui’s fragile ecosystems, from our forests to our coral reefs! We believe its all about Kuleana. Kuleana is an idea that drives us to preserve Hawaii's natural beauty, motivates us to teach our guests about conservation, and inspires us to give back to our community. Kuleana is a uniquely Hawaiian value and practice. Show a little Kuleana this weekend and don’t miss out on this opportunity to give back to our oceans on International Coastal Cleanup Day!